The WNBA is still in the midst of its 2026 season, but attention has turned to next year's draft. Former NBA players have declared they will enter for selection, citing the current eligibility guidelines, or lack thereof, for transgender women players. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.
Enes Kanter Freedom, who played 11 seasons in the NBA, said: "I'm officially declaring myself a WNBA prospect." This follows a comment by Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham, who said she wanted to protect young girls "who shouldn't have to go against biological men" in sport.
Her words have instigated protests on both sides of the argument, albeit not grand in scale. In an interview with ESPN, Cunningham denied criticism that she "hated" transgender people. She said she wanted to "extend love" to everyone, but added: "I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."
Her comments quickly moved into a wider political debate in the United States. President Donald Trump expressed his support for Cunningham, while vice-president JD Vance said she was "inspiring". Though the 29-year-old later said she is "not a very political person", her remarks have followed her around the country. Competing rallies from critics and supporters were organised at Indiana's games.
The debate has been striking given no openly transgender woman is due to play, or has ever played, in the WNBA. The league operates under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) which states: "Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA." Commissioner Cathy Engelbert reportedly sent a memo to teams last week in which she said the matter would be discussed at an upcoming meeting. In the memo, seen by the Associated Press, Engelbert said the league would "always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the longstanding values of our league". She added: "Preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league's highest priorities."
However, the lack of detail in the league's eligibility criteria has been brought to light by Kanter Freedom. "If simply declaring who you are is all that's required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA," he wrote on Instagram. He added: "I know my presence on the court will stir up strong opinions. I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices. I'm simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone."
A day after Kanter Freedom's announcement, Royce White - who made three appearances in the NBA and is now a Republican Senate candidate - said he would also declare for the Draft, adding: "I identify as sometimes identifying as a woman for purpose of basketball."
Whether the vagueness of the rules is by design or an oversight is not clear. BBC Sport has contacted Cunningham's representatives, the WNBA and WNBPA for comment. Cunningham's comments have become a flashpoint inside a league with a long history of player activism on issues including race, gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. The players' association did not mention Cunningham by name when it eventually addressed the debate.